Julian Edelman, Patriots crush Colts

Monday

Nov 19, 2012 at 6:00 AM

Julian Edelman's job description goes something like this — “Go out there and try to execute any situation the coaches put me in,” the Patriots wide receiver said simply. The Patriots put Edelman to work in yesterday's game against the Colts and let's just say he got it done.

By Jennifer Toland TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

Julian Edelman's job description goes something like this — “Go out there and try to execute any situation the coaches put me in,” the Patriots wide receiver said simply.

The Patriots put Edelman to work in yesterday's game against the Colts and let's just say he got it done.

Edelman scored two touchdowns, one on a 68-yard punt return and one on a 2-yard pass from quarterback Tom Brady, and set up another TD with a 47-yard run in the Patriots' 59-24 blowout win over the Colts at Gillette Stadium.

“Julian has been dying to get out there and make plays and he certainly did and we needed it,” Brady said.

Edelman is the first New England player to score on a return and have a touchdown reception in the same game since Irving Fryar did it on Nov. 10, 1985, also against the Colts. In addition to Edelman and Fryar, Stanley Morgan accomplished the feat on Nov. 18, 1979, against the Baltimore Colts.

The 59 points tied a franchise single-game record and marked the second time this year New England put up more than 50 points in a game.

Before yesterday, Edelman's previous long punt return of the season was a 22-yarder in Week 2 against Arizona, but he said in recent weeks the unit has felt like it has been close to breaking one.

With 12:14 left in the second quarter, Edelman fielded Pat McAfee's punt at the Patriots' 32-yard line, headed right, zigged and zagged through the Colts' coverage team, ran along the sideline and into the end zone.

“I'll tell you right now,” Edelman said, “we've been working real hard as a unit to get that done and create an explosion play. Those guys, they've been working their tails off and they executed what they had to do. They held up blocks, we got a kick we could return, and I did my job from there.”

It was Edelman's third career punt return for a touchdown. He set a franchise record with a 94-yard return for a TD last year against the Dolphins and had a 72-yard return for a TD against the Chiefs in 2011.

Edelman, who also had a 49-yard punt return in the fourth quarter, has the highest punt return average (13 yards) in team history.

“Julian was in the zone,” Patriots special teams captain Matthew Slater said. “Any time you can make a play like (the return for a TD) and give momentum to the team, it's awesome. He does such a good job of working hard. He takes a lot of pride in what he does and when the hard work pays off, it's great to see.”

The return in the second quarter came during a critical juncture for the Patriots. Edelman's TD tied the game, 14-14, and 61 seconds later, new cornerback Aqib Talib returned an interception 59 yards for another touchdown that put the Patriots ahead to stay.

Edelman added what could have been another huge special teams play late in the second quarter when he forced a fumble on T.Y. Hilton during a Colts kickoff return, but Indy's Nathan Palmer recovered.

Edelman missed three games earlier this season due to a hand injury, and he had been very quiet in the passing game since returning four weeks ago against the Jets. In the last three games combined, he's had three catches for 15 yards and an earful from Brady following a miscommunication between the pair in last week's game against the Bills.

Yesterday, Edelman matched a season high with five receptions that went for 58 yards. His 17-yard grab was among the highlights of New England's drive to open the second half, which finished with Brady's TD toss to Edelman.

“I had the opportunities to make some plays,” Edelman said, “and was fortunate it went my way.”

Before Edelman's day was over, he ripped off a 47-yard gain on an end-around, nearly getting into the end zone again before being taken down by free safety Antoine Bethea at the 3-yard line. It was the Patriots longest run from scrimmage this season. On the next play, Stevan Ridley ran it up the middle for a score and commanding 52-24 lead.

“It was unfortunate that I didn't get in,” Edelman said, “but it set us up for a touchdown. We got the touchdown as an offense and it kind of put it away, so that was good.”